Aaron Loomis

Jiunn Liu

Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is light brown with a couple of medium sized veins running the length of the cigar on one side. The seams are pretty well blended and smooth. The head is finished off with an oblong single cap which appears to be a shade lighter than the rest of the wrapper. The band is pretty non-descript being primarily white with black lettering and bordering and has the line name on it in a simple font. The aroma from the wrapper is a distinct dry hay while the foot gives a nice graham cracker note, subtle cinnamon included. The pre-light draw is a mix of graham cracker and hay with a quick to arrive spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Ventura Case Study 02 Robusto exhibits a high quality, slightly oily, uniformed Equador Corojo wrapper. Major veins protrude from the wrapper and seams are tight but visible. The bunch and rolls feels slightly loose especially near the foot of the cigar. The head is finished off with a well applied, deep triple cap. Nosing the wrapper gives spicy cedar and barnyard. Nosing the foot tells mixed nuts and a nose awakening white pepper spice. Cold draw reveals dry wood, cardboard and slightly lip tingling white pepper spice.

First Third

The cigar begins with what I can only describe as a fluffy wood note along with a slight black pepper finish. At a half inch in, some nuttiness joins the wood and black pepper notes. The retrohale carries a slightly heavier wood note. At an inch in, the nuttiness goes away and the wood note becomes a bit darker with some black pepper still in the background. At an inch and a half, the dark wood note transitions to cedar with a slight bitterness and the pepper has gone away. The strength in this third was right at medium.

First Third

First third has a tasty array of flavors providing toasted nuttiness, spicy cedar and bread. Digging a bit deeper, a floral note appears especially prevalent on the retrohale. Speaking of retrohale, in addition to the floral note, deep notes of black pepper and creamed mixed nuts are easily recognized. The finish consists of a long and lingering mix of wood bitterness and toasted nuts. Strength is medium-full and body medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the slight bitterness goes away and the cedar has become slightly bright. At a half inch in, the cedar transitions to oak and some earthiness joins the profile. The oak and earthiness carry over to the retrohale as well. At an inch in, the oak and earth create a pretty nice mix with a long finish. As the third comes to a close, a little mustiness joins the oak and earth. The strength in this third continued to be right at medium.

Second Third

Second third still has relatively the same core profile within the mouth draws providing spice coming through from the cedar, toasted nuttiness and bread. The floral note is entirely gone. Retrohaling still gives a powerful dose of black pepper, followed by creamed mixed nuts. The finish picks up black pepper spice in addition to the wood bitterness and toasted nuts. Strength and body is still medium-full and full, respectively.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the oak, earthiness and mustiness continue. At a half inch in, the cigar heats up a bit which amplifies the mustiness slightly. The mustiness makes its way to the retrohale as well. At an inch in, the profile is continuing on with the oak, earth and mustiness and is how the cigar finishes. The strength in this third continued right at medium.

Final Third

Last third’s profile yields no changes from the second third. The profile is still full of cedar, toasted nuts and bread. Retrohaling still gives intense black pepper with creamed mixed nuts following through. The finish is still black pepper, wood bitterness and toasted nuts carrying on for minutes on end. Strength and body finished medium-full and medium, respectively.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy the entire way and needed a touch-up at the halfway point as the burn got off quite a bit. The ash held on in inch and a half increments.

Burn

Burn performance was overall good. A major re-light was needed within the beginning of the last third. Ashes were fairly tight and slightly flowery. Burn line although never razor sharp, was sharp enough to not use my lighter for touch-ups. The cigar burn was nice and cool the entire smoking time.

Draw

The draw was perfect with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this cigar concept as they are blends that were found in the aging room of previous releases from what I understand. This being my first experience with the line, I would say that it’s a success. The flavor profile was good as it was pretty full, making the flavors very up front. Nothing ground breaking in regards to the flavors presented, but they were ones I enjoyed. I’m very interested in making my way through the other offerings and would suggest that others give them a try to see what they can find in the multiple options that are available now and in the future.

Aaron

Jiunn

Average

PreLight

Good

Good

FirstThird

Good

Good

Second Third

Good

Average

FinalThird

Good

Good

Burn

Good

Amazing

Draw

Very Good

Good

Overall

Good

Draw

A tad loose for my liking but nonetheless, very good draw that was effortless.

Overall

The Ventura Case Study 02 Robusto proved to be a very nice find in the aging room. I enjoyed the rich and robust flavors of the cigar that had the power and strength to match. Given this as our first Case Study (and successful one at that), I am now very interested to see what other cigars Ventura has dug up at other aging rooms.